Wow, I never thought that the Republicans could “spin” the issue of high gas prices in their favor. But this new McCain commercial proves me wrong.

Of course, informed people will scoff at the ad—and denounce its oily implications.

But McCain delivers the kind of easy solution that many voters want to hear: The answer to our energy problems is right here in America. Offshore drilling will even help “rescue our family budgets.”

It’s skillful rhetoric. And its punchline couldn’t be better written: “Don’t hope for more energy. Vote for it.” (Count on hearing that hope/vote construction a lot in the coming months.)

The Democratic party needs to start doing a much better job of framing these campaign issues or it will be forced to waste all of its funds merely responding to them. Better get going: There are only 105 days until the election.